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Immunizations & Entrance Requirements

A school nurse will review your child’s health information for clearance into school in order to maintain protection from communicable diseases, identify your child’s health needs and promote health safety in school.

The following is a list of health requirements required by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for entry of students into public school. Please provide documentation from your primary care physician when you register at the Parent Information Center located at Medford High School. Free immunizations are available at the Medford Board of Health by appointment. Please call 781-393-2448.

Immunization Requirements

Massachusetts state law requires that all students have up-to-date immunizations in order to attend school in person.   

This law applies to both international and domestic students.  

Students entering all grades must meet current Massachusetts Department of Public Health immunization requirements. School health records are reviewed periodically to determine the immunization status of each student. If it is found that immunization updates are needed, school nurses will contact caregivers and notify of the immunizations that are missing from the health record.

Verification of immunizations given at a doctor’s office, pharmacy, urgent care, etc. should be submitted to the school nurse to update the student’s health record.

Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS) Fact Sheet for Caregivers

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Physical Requirements

Medford Public Schools requires a physical exam for all students new to the school system and students in Grades Kindergarten and 7. Yearly physical exams are required to meet the requirements of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA ) for student athletes enrolled at the high and middle schools.

When your child enters Grade 4, an interval health history will be sent home so you may update your child’s medical information. The school nurses request you return it fully completed with all pertinent medical information to the school health office as soon as possible after you receive it.

A message from the Medford Public Schools Health Services Department

Don’t Wait, Vaccinate!

The school nurses help maintain safety of our environment through careful monitoring of student immunizations. Vaccines work to safeguard children from illnesses and death caused by communicable diseases. They protect children by helping prepare their bodies to fight often serious, and potentially, deadly diseases. Should there be an outbreak of a communicable disease, students who have not been immunized will be excluded from school during the infectious period in accordance with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulations.